PHOTO: Shaumus Walsh presented this pen of Angus cows that went under the HF Richardson hammer for a top of 358c/kg, making $2258ph at WVLX Mortlake.
WVLX Mortlake agents yarded 2,468 cattle this week representing an increase of 540 head on last week’s market. The lead bullocks were again evident but weight reduced quickly to a very large offering of manufacturing type cattle. There was an improvement in the trade weights offering more weight with cover along with some well finished grain feds. Significant numbers and mixture of beef and dairy cows were available for most of the regular buyers that were present but not fully engaged along with restockers and feedlot operators that sought suitable lines. The offering consisted of 540 grown cattle and 590 trade weights along with 1,280 cows and 63 bulls.
The market remained strong over most categories, heavier grown steers remained firm whilst trade weight cattle lost 10c to 20c/kg. Manufacturing cattle gained 20c/kg in places. Cows were mostly firm, however, medium and lightweights were softer by 20c/kg whilst heavy grown bulls were 10c to 20c/kg dearer in places.
A small number of vealers topped at 388c/kg with trade weight steers and heifers making from 320c to 426c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 390c/kg and manufacturing steers sold up to 366c/kg and crossbreds to 334c/kg. Heavy beef cows sold from 290c to 358c/kg with the medium weights between 230c and 270c/kg. The better covered dairy cows were generally between 238c and 322c/kg. Grown bulls topped at 354c/kg.